Best things/things you wished you'd packed in hospital bag??

[bluebambino]

Hi, I'm 33 weeks and in the process of packing my hospital bag. I know all of the basic things I need to pack (I think) but I was wondering if there was anything you were so glad that you packed or anything you didn't pack and wish you had?

Thanks!

I'd recommend lots of those little fruit juices with straws, apple and orange. Was mega thirsty after birth and only get water or a tea in the hospital. The sugar levels are good too for a little boost. Definitely massive sanitary towels and huge knickers, enormous dark coloured pj bottoms and vest tops.

Pack it in little handy “grab” bags for husband to grab and repack easily, so your underwear and clothes in one, baby grows another, toiletries for you in another etc etc and make sure he’s familiar with it all.

I’d add in a decent bottle too and footless babygrow so you don’t have to keep stripping off baby. Plus hats and cardigans - they were obsessed in my hospital about overdressing the baby.

I also packed a small portable charger as it was handy

I left lots of extra stuff on the spare bed at home so that if I needed more of anything DH just had to look in that one place and not go searching through drawers and cupboards.

Loads of sports drinks with a squeezy top (like this. I was recommended this by someone else when I had DC1, bought one pack thinking I was being OTT and got through them so quickly! I was on G&A which made my mouth very dry. The benefit of the sports drink is that it also helps to boost your energy a bit, helpful for a long pushing stage (which I had with DC1, MWs were giving me apple juice from the staff kitchen - very very kind of them - in a little plastic cup). At that point I wished I had bought a few packs!

Some sort of flip flops or cheap sandals. Hadn’t thought about footwear pre-DC1 so only had some knock off Uggs which I wore to hospital, and on which I had been sick when I arrived after birth DH went home and got me some other shoes, but meant I didn’t have anything to get around on in the meantime or during the birth! Just rocked socks...

I packed loads of stuff and didn't need half of it and was in for 2 nights.
Best things were:

• jelly babies for labour
• Moldex ear plugs (you are tuned into baby so don't worry)
• charger for phone
• cheap flip flops
• something to read

Someone bought me a nice Nivea toiletry travel kit with deodorant, face wipes, shower gel and i added a couple of miniature shampoo and conditioners. I took a few packs of boots thick maternity pads. My own painkillers. Lucozade was a lifesaver as i vomited my whole way through labour and became severely ketotic. I didn't bother with towels as even though hospital ones are small, they do the washing so who cares if you use 4 at a time?! Also a couple of magazines as it took forever to get discharged and tv cards at the hospital are £££.

Plan for an emergency section. So massive pants and peppermint oil tablets. Breastfeeding accessible top. Slippers. Towel. Food - jelly sweets etc.

I wish I'd brought more snacks and drinks. I was constantly hungry and thirsty and didn't want to keep bothering the nurses for more water.

Food. I always say food but it's true. I had a section each time so had to stay a little longer and my god was i starving in the middle of the night that first time. The hospital food was awful and I missed it anyway for my first due to the time she arrived. I took more snacks with my second but it wasn't enough so with my third I packed enough to feed an army haha. My DH had to go home as he had to look after our older 2 overnight so I was glad I had the food in easy to reach to relax with baby and watch my iPad

Lots of nightdresses! I stupidly took just one and was in for 3 days. Next time I'd take at least 4! This was a hot time of year and I felt gross. In colder weather I'd take a few pairs of leggings too. And flip-flops. Dry shampoo would be a good idea too.

bottle of water with a sports cap- the ones you squeeze and the water comes out- put a few drops of tea tree oil in and when you go for pp wee, rinse yourself with that, very soothing over stitches.

Definitely yes to food - cereal bars, jelly babies and nuts!
One thing I regretted was not having a dressing gown. I never wear one at home but would've been good. Maybe a dark colour and a couple of sizes bigger than usual.

Extra jogging bottoms/pj bottoms/leggings. Post birth can be messy and wobbly and I had a problem with urinary incontinence afterwards so went through quite a lot while I was in.

A bag to put dirty clothes in!

A big v shaped pillow. It really helped with breastfeeding to support the baby.

Your own mug - you can make your own tea / coffee and it tastes so much better if it's not in plastic.

Be careful not to take too much stuff though, exH had to take a bag home because the nurses said I was taking up too much space.

Eye mask
Ear plugs
I was in for a month as I wasn't very well after I gave birth. Had ensuite private room and even then had to use the ear plugs and eye mask. The lights don't fully switch off and there are always people coming in and out.
Don't take too much stuff you only have a tiny locker generally. No valuables

Food!!!! You will be ravenous as you have never been before and there will be nothing to eat in the middle of the night. I so wished then I had packed some sandwiches, nuts and dried fruit.

Your dh can bring stuff in for you. Just take what you need for labour. Keep a bag of other stuff in car. Don't arrive like you are on a 2 week holiday there is literally nowhere to put anything.

Snacks. Snacks. Snacks.

I second the portable phone charger and battery powered hand held fan! I was absolutely boiling the day after giving birth and the postnatal ward was roasting (in February!). Also snacks - again the day after I gave birth I was constantly starving. Also more PJs/nighties than you think!

Ziplock bags and flannels. Labour and postnatal wards are hotter than the sun. A cool damp flannel is so refreshing and if you keep them in ziplock bags you can keep them topped up ready.

Wet wipes. Got made to feel guilty for wanting them, but having to try and clean up baby poonamis with just cotton wool and water was just awful.

Small cartons of coconut water
Small portions of cheese and oatcakes
Small packet almonds or mixed nuts/ dried fruit
Silicon earplugs (more comfy than foam) and eye mask
Kindle with lots of books or a couple of paperback books
Packet Skin cleanser wipes
Good moisturiser for face & body and lip balm plus Bio Oil
Toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash if preferred
Eye drops (I suffer from really dry eyes)
Towel and flannels x2
Easy nightwear and tee shirts (PJs)
Hair scrunches and hairbrush
Thermos cup for hot/cold drinks
Bottled water or soft drink
Cotton or lightweight Dressing gown (rooms are often hot)

Don't bring anything expensive: laptop, engagement ring/other jewellery